Connecting electrical conductors



March 7, 1967 1 HEDSTRM 3,308,418

v CONNECTING ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Original Filed Aug. 1, 1961 2Sheets-Sheet 1 WY//y//zz F l G. 2

E S C q() sla TJI38 C@ \\\v 2 32 F l G' 6 \f\ "A TOR y INVEN LARsHEDSTR'M ATTORNEYS F|G.5 BY/wfzv March 7, 1967 HEDsTRM CONNECTINGELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Original Filed Aug. l, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG]HEAT SEALED .INVENTOR LARS HEDSTROM ATTORNEYS United States PatentOiiice 3,308,413 Patented Mar. 7, 1967 3,308,418 CNNECTING ELECTRICALCONDUC'IRS Lars Heristrm, West Orange, NJ., assignor, by mesneassignments, to The Thomas & Betts Co., a corporation ofNew JerseyOriginal application Aug. 1, 1961, Ser. No. 128,497, now Patent No.3,213,404, dated Get. 19, 1965. Divided and this application Get. V18,1965, Ser. No. 497,161

' 30 Claims. (Cl. 339-97) l This` application is a division of U.S.application` Serial No. 128,497, led August 1, 1961, now Patent No,

This invention relates generally to the art of mechanically connectingelectrical conductors and more particularly to a method -of and meansfor effecting a tenacious, frictional, low resistance electricalconnection between various forms of pin or prong-like conductors or wireterminal leads and thin sheet', lm, layer or ribbon-like ductileconductive element or elements enclosed in a flat or-cylindrical plasticlaminate, insulated hat conductor cable or formed on printed circuitboards. y

Conventional at conductor cable is a conductor construction consistingof'ribbon-like strips-of thin copper imbedded in al ribbon of yieldableplastic insulatlon, usually Mylar,^which has gained wide interest in theelecing connections to other types of wiring or to circuit componentsand equipment, and for taps for breakingoff connections at variouspoints along its length. Moreover, another diiculty has been thecomplete removal of its insulation and the fact that after the removalof the insulation, there is little strength in the bare copper strips onWhich't-o make or attach connecting elements of comparable size.

Conventional methods of making direct electrical connectionsmechanically were not practical or satisfactory heretofore in miniaturedcomplex electronic instruments and/ or circuits for the reasons that theutilization of flat conductor cable, printed circuit boards and the liketherein plus the small terminal leads of miniature cornponents such ascondensers, resistors, diodes, capacitors and the like precludedsoldering, dip-soldering, crimping or eyeletting of such connectionsbecause of the fragile nature of the conductive elements embracedtherein.

The underlying inventive concept embraced herein which is believed to benew in the art involves the impaling of a pin, tack, tooth or prong-liketerminal lead, or the wire terminal leads of miniaturized components,directly on into or through a pin-cushion or sandwich-like terminallaminate which comprises thin, flat copper sheets or strips within aninsulation cover which is laminated -or reinforced onl both sides or allaround with a relatively thick layer of yieldable plastic material suchas polyethylene, for example, whereby the impaling of pin, tooth orprong-liketerminal connectors or the wire terminal leads of miniaturecomponents on into or therethrough assures rm, vibration-proof contacttherein and ditiiculty of removal therefrom.

Thus, the mechanical contact established within the laminate is andremains free of moisture, dirt or other contaminant vwhich might causesubsequent failure. Although it is not believed necessary, thecontacting pin or wire lead may, if desired, protrude through thelaminate and be subsequently turned to one side or stapled or caused tobe dellected to one side by a m-ore rigid layer of plastic to increaseits mechanical strength.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a method of andmeans for making direct electrical connection with extremely thin,minimum mass conductive elements and the terminal leads of miniaturecomponents and/or single wire conductor leads without soldering,dip-soldering, crimping, eyeletting or other auxiliary attaching means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a flat conductor cablehaving laminated connector portions integral therewith whereby theconductive elements in said cable are adapted to be connected to a likenumber of separate conductor terminal leads by impaling said laminatedconnector portions thereon in imbedded, frictionally secured relationtherewith.

A further object of the invention is to provide laminated terminal postconnectors adapted to be secured on a printed circuit board with theconductive element in each of said connectors, in contact with theconductive circuit trace etched -on said circuit board, for connectingthe terminal leads of separate wire conductors or the terminal leads ofminiature components to said etched circuit trace through said terminalposts in impaled, frictionally held, angularly spaced, parallel relationabout the periphery of said terminal posts.

Another object of the invention is to provide aV laminated terminal postconnector adapted to be secured to a supporting panel or the like forsecuring separate conductor terminal leads thereto in impaled,frictionally held, spaced, parallel relation whereby said conductorterminal leads are interc-onnected through the conductive element withinsaid terminal post.

Another object of the invention is to provide a laminated terminalsplice connector adapted for connecting a pair of conductor terminalleads in spaced end-to-end relation by impaling each of said conductorleads sub stantially axially of one end of said terminal connector inguided, frictionally held relation.

The novel features characteristic of the invention are set forth withparticularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however,both as to its 4organization and method of operation, together withadditional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood fromthe following description of a specilic embodiment thereof, when read inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view of a laminatedportion of a ilat conductor cable illustrating the manner in which theterminal leads of miniature components are impaled through the ductileconductive elements 4of said cable in imbedded, frictionally heldrelation therewith;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, longitudinal sectional view of alaminated portion of a at conductor cable prior to impaling the same ona pointed conductive terminal lead in imbedded, frictionally heldrelation therewith;

FIG. 3 is a similar View showing the laminated portion of a flatconductor cable after its impalement on a pointed conductive terminallead and the manner in which the conductive element of the cable isextruded by the terminal lead forming a contact surface having a lengthmany times greater than the thickness of the conductive element of saidcable;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view illustrating alaminated portion of a dat conductor cable as impaled on the conductiveterminal leads respectively of a plurality of miniature circuitcomponents in irnbedded, frictionally held relation with the conductiveand laminating elements of said cable portion;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a flatconductor cable laminate illustrating the impalement thereof ondifferent forms of pin or prong-like conductive terminals, the laminatecomprising two halves joined in detachably locked relation, and the freeends of the pin-like terminals adapted for the attachment thereto of aninsulated flexible conductor by means of a screw, soldering or crimping;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of a laminatedintermediate portion of a flat conductor cable in which the cableportion is reversely folded upon itself in spaced, laminated relationand as impaled on a pin-like conductive terminal element;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 5,wherein an end portion of a at conductor cable is folded upon itself inspaced laminated relation, the laminate, as in FIG. 5, comprisingcornplementary sections adapted to be joined in detachably lockedrelation;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional View of a modied form of theinvention in which the laminate comprises a cylindrical terminal spliceconnector adapted for impaling a conductive terminal lead in each endthereof in frictionally held relation therewith to connect the impaledleads through the conductive element within said laminate;

FIG. 9 is a similar, enlarged laminate in the form of a turret terminalpost connector shown secured to a panel support for the impalement ofconductor terminal leads radially there-of in spaced, parallel relationto connect the impaled terminal leads through the conductive elementwithin said laminate;

FIG. l() is a similar enlarged view of a plastic laminate partly insection and illustratingT the impalement of a conductor terminal leadradially thereofand the manner in which a connection is establishedbetween the impaled terminal lead and the conductive metal elementimbedded in the laminate.

FIG. ll is a similar view of a laminate in the form of a terminal postconnector shown suitably secured on a printed circuit board with thebottom end of its conductive element exposed and extending normalthereto in contact with the conductive element etched on said boardwhereby conductor terminal leads are connected to the etched circuitelement on said board indirectly through the conductive element withinsaid laminate;

FIG. l2 is a similar enlarged laminate in the form of a feed throughterminal post connector shown suitably secured to a panel support andextending above and below the support for the impalement of terminalconductor leads radially thereof above and below said panel in spacedparallel relation whereby to connect the impaled terminal leads throughthe conductive element within said laminate;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged crossasectional View of a terminal post laminateshowing the conductive element between the telescoped plastic members,comprising the terminal post laminate, and the manner in which theconductive element is extruded at the points of impalement of conductorterminal leads thereinto or therethrough in frictionally held relationtherewith, the protruding end of one terminal lead beingr turned over onthe outer periphery of the laminate by way of example; and

FIG. '14 is a fragmentary sectional View, illustrating a manner in whicha thin, conductive metal element may be recessed in the periphery oftheinner plastic member of a terminal post connector laminate ushtherewith.

Referring to the drawings and to FIGS. l through 4, a sectional portionof a flat conductor cable 2d, including a plurality of conductive strips22, is shown sandwiched or otherwise disposed between a pair ofrelatively thick, tlat sections 24, of polyethylene plastic, forexample, in laminated relation therewith, the plastic sections 24 beingsecured on the cable end portion 2t), either by means of suitablestaples or bonded thereon by means of a suitable adhesive, cement -orthe like. An end portion of the fiat conductor cable 2t), so provided,forms a connector laminate section thereon adapted to be impaled onpinlike conductive terminal members 26 to connect each of said members26 to one of the thin, ribbon-like conductive strips 22, within thecable 2G.

In impaling the laminated portion of the flat conductor cable 2@ on twoor more` pin-like, conductive terminal members 26, the pointed endsthereof extrude an opening through the ductile conductive strips 22 ofthe cable 2t), whereby portions thereof at the points of extrusion aredeected or displaced out of the plane thereof as at 30, in FIG. 3, toprovide a contact with the terminal members 26, along a length thereofmany times greater than the normal thickness of the conductive cablestrips 22, usually .0027 of an inch, thusassuring a good, low-resistanceconnection with the impaled terminal members 26. Alternatively, FIG. 4illustrates the manner in which the conductor terminal leads 26 ofvarious types of minature circuit components 28, .are similarly impaledin the cable laminate in tenaciously imbedded, frictionally heldrelation therewith.

Further in accordance with the invention, the laminated cable porti-onmay also take the form of a pair of complementary, thick polyethyleneplastic sections 32 and 34, as illustrated in FIG. 5, wherein an endportion of a flat conductor cable 20 is disposed in a rectangular slot36, provided therefor in the 4plastic section 32 in sliding t relation,the plastic section 34 having a plurality of pinlike terminal members38, flanged as at 40, partially molded therein. The outer free end ofeach Iof the terminal members 38 may be provided with either an eyeletportiony E, a screw portion S or a crimpable sleeve C, adapted forsecuring a flexible wire conductor thereto in known manner. The plasticsections 32 and 34 are each further provided with a toothed portion 42and `a complementary latch portion 54, whereby the plastic sections areadapted to be superposed one upon the other in detachably lockedrelation. Thus, when the same plastic sections 32 and 34- are broughttogether in locked relation, the pointed end portion 48 of theconductive terminal members 38 are impaled in the plastic members 32 and34, and the conductive metal strips 22, within the flat conductor cable2@ in frictionally held low resistance current transfer relation.

Further in accordance with the invention and as shown in FIG. 6, alaminated portion of a flat conductor cable 2Q, as above described, mayalso be formed intermediate the ends thereof by reversely folding aselected portion thereof upon itself in spaced parallel relation with aplurality of relatively thick, dat sections of yiel-dable plastic 50 and52 disposed respectively between the folds and superimposed on the outersides thereof whereby one or more tap connections may be made with theconductive metal strips 22 of the cable 2), by impaling a like member ofpin-like conductive terminal -members 54 into the stacked sections ofyieldable plastic 52 in imbedded frictionally held relation therewith,whereby each of the pinlike terminal members 54 passes through itscorrelated conductive strip 22 of the cable 20 a plurality of times inextruded relation therewith, as indicated at 30 in FIGS. 1 and 3, theinner ends'of the terminal members 54 exten-ding short of the outer sideof the bottom or lowermost plastic section 52. Thus, two or moreinsulated, flexible wire conductors 56 may lbe connected indirectly witha like number of conductive strips 22 within the cable 20 anywhere alongthe length thereof. p

A modified form of the laminate shown in FIG. 5 is Villustrated in FIG.7 wherein the laminate comprisesra hollow plastic section 58, vhaving apartition 60 therein in spaced, parallel relation whereby to receive afolded end portion of a flat conductor cable 20 therebetween infrictionally fitted relation, and a complementary plastic member 62having a plurality of flanged, pin-like conductive terminal members 66,anchored therein in space-d, depending alignment, the plastic member 62,including toothed side walls 68, whereby it is adapted to be detachablysecured on the base section 58, with the pointed end portions of theterminal -pins 66, impaled in the plastic base section 58, infrictionally held relation therewith, whereby the terminal pins 66 areconnected to the conductive strips 22 of the fiat conductor cable 20 inthe manner shown at in FIGS. 1 and 3.

Further in accordance with the invention and as illustrated in FIG. 8, aplastic laminate as described in connection with the preceding figuresis in the form of a cylindrical member to provide a butt-end spliceconnector 70, comprising an outer sleeve 72, of thick polyethyleneplastic having a plastic plug 74 frictionally secured in each endthereof with a thin disc of ductile conductive metal 76, folded upon arelatively thick plastic disc 78 and dispose-d as a unit ibetween theinner ends of the plastic -plugs 74, in the outer sleeve 72 in iirmcontact therewith.

As shown in FIG. 8, the outer ends o fthe plastic plugs 74 are eachprovided with an opening 80, parallel with and to one side of the axialcenter of the plugs 74, wherelby to provide means for guiding theentrance of a pointed conductive terminal lead 82 into each of therespective plastic plugs 74, and through their closed inner ends and thefolded conductive metal disc '76, including the plastic disc 78therebetween in impaled, frictionally held relation therewith, wherebythe conductive terminal leads 82 are indirectly connected by means ofthe folded conductive metal disc 78. The open ends of the outer plasticsleeve may be closed by means of a plastic disc heat-sealed thereinhaving an opening therethrough in registration with the guide -openingin each 0f the plastic plugs 74, or the open ends of the plastic sleeve70 may be provided with a small annular shoulder internally thereofwhereby the plastic plugs 74 may be snapped, by means of a force lit,past the respective annular shoulders into position within the outersleeve 70. v

Further in accordance with the invention and as shown tn FIGS. 9 and 10,a cylindrical plastic laminate in the form of a terminal post connector84, wherein a yieldable, solid, inner plastic member 86 is telescopedwithin a thick, outer, yieldable plastic sleeve with a thin, ductileconductive metal sheet or sleeve 9.0, frictionally secured therebetween,one end of the inner plastic member 86, extending beyond one end of theplastic sleeve 88 whereby the laminate-d terminal post 84 is adapted tobe secured in a suitable opening provided therefor in a panel supp-ort92 or the like by upsetting, for example, the free end of the innerplastic member 86, as indicated at 96. With the terminal post 84 infixed position, a plurality of conductor terminal leads 94 may bereadily interconnected therein, indirectly by means of the imbeddedconductive metal sleeve 90, by impaling the conductor terminal leads 94radially of and into the terminal post 84 in spaced parallel,frictionally held relation therewith by the yieldable characteristics ofthe .polyethylene plastic and the extruded contact made between theconductor terminal leads 94, and the imbedded, thin, conductive metalsleeve 90.

Further in accordance with the invention, a modified form of laminate-dterminal post connector is shown at 98 in FIG. 11, wherein the inneryieldable plastic member 16d, extends beyond one end of the outeryieldable plastic sleeve 162, telescoped thereon in frictionally heldrelation with the thin, ductile, conductive metal sleeve 1M securedtherebetween, whereby one end portion of the conductive sleeve 104 isexposed and turned normal thereto for securing the extended end of theinner plastic member in an opening provi-ded therefor in a printedcircuit board 106, as at 108, with the exposed portion of the conductivesleeve 104, in contacting engagement with the conductive circuit trace112, etched on the circuit board. v

Thus, when a conductive terminal lead of a wire conductor or theconductive terminal leads of a circuit component is to be connected withor secured to the conductive circuit trace etched on the printed circuitboard,

the terminal leads are impaled in the terminal post connector inimbedded, frictionally held relation whereby the terminal leads areindirectly connected to the circuit trace etched on the printed circuitIboard.

Further in accordance with the invention, a terminal post connector 114as shown in FIG. 12, comprises an inner plastic member 116, ofrelatively greater length and a thick plastic sleeve 118 having areduced end portion 120, telescoped thereon with a thin conductive metalsleeve 122, frictionally secured between the inner plastic member 116,and the outer sleeve 11S, short of the respective ends thereof. Thereduced end portion 120 of the sleeve 118 has a smaller outside diameterthan the upper portion thereof, forming an intermediate shouldertherebetween whereby the terminal post connector 114, is also adapted tobe mounted on a panel board 124 or the like with its reduced diametralportion 12) extending through a suitable opening provided therefor inthe panel board 124, and secured thereon by means of a suitable springclip, nut or the like 126. Thus, when a plurality of conductor terminalsor terminal leads 12S, above, below, in front of or in back of a panel,chassis or the like to be connected, the conductive terminal members12S, below the panel 124 are impaled in the depending sleeve portion 120of the terminal post, and the conductive terminal members 12S above thepanel 124 impaled in the larger plastic sleeve 11S whereby therespective terminal members 12b are interconnected through the thinconductive metal sleeve 122 within the terminal post 114,

Referring to FIG. 13, a transverse section through any of the terminalpost connectors shown respectively in FIGS. 9 through 12, illustratesthe manner in which a plurality of bare conductor terminals or terminalleads 136 are impaled into the outer plastic sleeve 132, thin conductivemetal sleeve 134, and inner plastic member or core 138, whereby portionsof the sheet metal sleeve 134 are deflected out of the -plane thereof asat 138, and thus form a contacting surface on the` intruded conductorterminals 136, having a length many times greater than the normalthickness of the thin conductive metal sleeve 134. Moreover, the ends ofthe intruded conductor may, if desired, extend through the outer plasticsleeve 132, and the protruding ends turned or -bent over on the outerperiphery thereof as indicated in dotted lines.

Further in accordance with the invention, and with reference to FIG. 14,the outer diameter of the inner plastic `member or core 14) of aterminal post connector, as described in connection with FIGS. 9 through13, may be reduced intermediate the ends of its largest diameter in anamount equal to the thickness of the thin conductive metal foil, sheetor strip 144, to be placed thereon whereby the same will be flush withthe normal diameter of its end portions and the outer plastic sleeve142, telescoped thereon in frictionally held relation. It is also Withinthe scope of the underlying inventive concept herein described, to forma ductile conductive metal film or coating of copper, gold, silver orthe like, of predetermined thickness directly on the outer periphery ofthe inner plastic member or core, or directly on the inner periphery ofthe outer plastic sleeve of any of the herein described terminal postconductors, by electro-deposition, sputtering or metalizing methods Wellknown in the art.

It is to be noted that in the impalernent of bare conductor terminals orterminal leads of components in or into terminal post connectors, asdescribed in connection with FIGS. 8 through 13, such conductorterminals or component terminal leads are held between the jaws of asuitable pair of needle nose pliers or the like, to impart sufficientrigidity to the point end portion thereof while being forcefully impaledin such terminal post connectors.

It is also to be noted that while a section of conventional at conductorcable 20, is shown interposed between two relatively thick, flatsections of plastic 24, in

YFIGS. 1, 2 and 3, it is also within the scope of the invention tosecure a plurality of bare, ductile conductive strip elements 22,directly between the two plastic sections 24 in sandwiched relation.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with respect toseveral embodiments thereof, it is to be expressly understood thatmodifications may be made therein without departing from the inventiveconcept underlying the same. Therefore, the invention is not to belimited except as is necessitated by the prior art and the scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed:

1. An electrical connection comprising a plurality of vterminal membersof conductive metal, and a plastic laminate comprising a plurality ofrelatively thick, yieldable plastic members enclosing a folded endportion of an insulated flat conductor cable in fixed abutting relationwherein said plastic laminate is impaled on said terminal members inimbedded, frictionally held relation therewith.

2. An electrical connection comprising a plurality of pin-like terminalmembers of conductive metal, and a plastic laminate comprising aplurality of relatively thick, yieldable plastic members enclosing anintermediate portion of an insulated at conductor cable folded uponitself in fixed abutting relation with said plastic members wherein saidplastic laminate is impaled on said terminal members in imbedded,frictionally held relation therewith.

3. An electrical connection comprising a plurality of terminal pins ofconductive metal, and a plastic laminate comprising a plurality ofrelatively thick, yieldable plastic members enclosing an intermediateportion of an insulated fiat conductor cable folded upon itself inspaced fixed abutting relation with said members and wherein saidplastic laminate is impaled on said terminal pins in imbeddedfrictionally held relation therewith.

4. An electrical terminal connector adapted to be impaled on a pluralityof conductor terminal leads in imbedded, frictionally held helationtherewith comprising an insulated thin, at conductor cable having aportion thereof reversely folded upon itself in spaced parallel relationand a plurality of relatively thick, yieldable plastic members, saidportion reversely folded upon itself being disposed between said plasticmembers and in fixed abutting relation with the respective oppositefaces of said plastic members.

5. An electrical terminal connector adapted to be impaled on a pluralityof conductor terminal leads in imbedded, frictionally held relationtherewith comprising a thin, at conductor cable having a portion thereoffolded upon itself in spaced, parallel relation and a plurality ofrelatively thick, yieldable plastic members, said portion folded uponitself being disposed between said plastic members and in fixed abuttingrelation therewith.

6. An electrical terminal connector adapted to be irnpaled on aplurality of conductive terminal leads in irnbedded, frictionally heldrelation therewith comprising an insulated, thin, flat multi-conductorcable having a portion thereof folded upon itself in spaced parallelrelation, a plurality of relatively thick, yieldable plastic members,said portion folded upon itself being disposed between said plasticmembers in fixed abutting relation therewith, and means integral withsaid plastic members for securing the same together in superposedrelation on the respective opposite faces of said folded cable portion.

7. An electrical connection comprising a plurality of terminal pins ofconductive metal, and a pair of relatively thick yieldable plasticmembers including integral coa-ctable means for locking said plasticmembers together,

said plastic members enclosing a folded end portion of a flat conductorcable wherein said plastic members are impaled on said terminal pins asa unit in embedded, frictionally held relation with the conductiveelements within said cable and said yieldable plastic members.

8. An electrical connection comprising a pair of relatively thick, flat,yieldable plastic members including -coa-ctable means integral therewithfor locking said plastic vmembers together in superposed relation, aplurality of terminal pins of conductive metal integral with one of saidplastic members and projecting inwardly thereof normal thereto in spacedrelation, the other of said plastic members comprising a pair of spaced,parallel sections having a central partition therebetween in spacedparallel relation, and a folded end portion of an insulated at conductorcable sandwiched between said pair of sections and said centralpartition in opposed facing relation whereby in locking said plasticmembers together said folded cable portion is impaled on said terminalpins in imbedded, frictionally held, laminated relation therewith.

9. An electrical connection comprising a pointed terminal member ofconductive metal, and a thin sleeve of ductile conductive metal disposedbetween a pair of relatively thick yieldable plastic members disposed intelescopic relation wherein said terminal member is forced into saidplastic members and through said sleeve of conductive metal in imbedded,frictionally held relation therewith, one of said plastic members havinga reduced end portion with one end of said conductive metal sleevedepending therefrom whereby said plastic members are adapted to besecured on a printed circuit board with the depending portion of saidmetal sleeve in electrical contact with the conductive element etched onsaid circuit board.

101. The combination with an insulated at conductor cable having aplurality of thin, ribbon-like ductile conductor elements imbeddedtherein, a plurality of relatively thick, flat plastic memberssuperposed on and between a folded end portion of said cable in bonded,laminated relation therewith, and a plurality of pin-like conductiveterminal members impaled in said plastic members in frictionally heldrelation therewith extending through said ribbon-like conductor elementsin low resistance electrical contact therewith.

11. The combination with an insulated flat conductor cable having aplurality of thin, ribbon-like ductile conductor elements imbeddedtherein in spaced parallel relation, of a plurality of relatively thick,flat plastic members superposed on and between a reversely foldedintermediate portion of said cable in bonded laminated relationtherewith, and a plurality of pin-like conductive terminal membersimpaled in said plastic members in frictionally held relation therewithextending through said conductor elements in low-resistance electricalcontact therewith.

12. A terminal post connector adapted to be secured on a printed circuitboard in electrical Contact with a conductive element etched thereoncomprising a pair of thick, yieldable plastic members telescoped onewithin the other with a sleeve of thin, ductile, conductive metaltherebetween, the inner plastic member being longer than the outerplastic member whereby to extend through an opening in said circuitboard with one end portion of said thin metal sleeve exposed for contactwith the conductive element on said circuit board, and means formed onthe depending free end of said inner plastic member securing saidterminal post against relative endwise movement on said circuit board,said terminal post being adapte-d to have a plurality of terminalconductor leads impaled therein in frictionally held relation therewithto provide an indirect connection with the conductive element on saidcircuit board through the conductive metal within said terminal post.

13. A terminal post adapted to be secured on a printed circuit board inelectrical contact with the conductive circuit trace etched thereonwhereby to establish a connection therewith, comprising a pair of thick,yieldable plastic members telescoped one within the other with a thinsleeve of ductile conductinve metal therebetween intermediate the endsof said plastic members, the inner plastic member being longer than theouter plastic member whereby to extend through an opening in said-circuit board with one end of said thin metal sleeve exposed and turnednormal thereto for contact with the conductive trace on said cir- .cuitboard, adjustable means carried by the depending end of said innerplastic member securing said terminal post against relative endwisemovement on said board, and a plurality of conductor terminal leadsimpaled radially of -said plastic members in imbedded frictionally heldcontact with said plastic members and said sheet of conductive metalforming a low resistance current path to the circuit printed on saidboard.

14. A terminal post connector adapted-to be secured on an aperturedpanel support comprising a cylindrical core of yieldable plastic and ayieldablej plastic sleeve ,secured in telescopic relation on said corewith a sleeve of thin, ductile conductive metal therebetweensubstantially throughout the length of said core, one end of said sleevehaving an outer diameter smaller than the outer ldiameter of the otherend of said sleeve whereby to yieldable plastic and a pair ofcylindrical inserts of .yield- 1 vable plastic each having an openingformed endwise thereof'and to one side of its axial center extendingshort of the opposite end thereof, each of said plastic inserts beingfrictionally secured in one end of said plastic sleeve with a thin discof ductile conductive metal folded upon a relatively thick disc ofyieldable plastic disposed between the inner ends of said plasticinserts in abutting 4relation therewith, the outer ends of said plasticinserts being disposedwithin the open ends of said plastic sleeve vandsaid open `ends heat sealed to retain said plastic `inserts againstrelative movement, the endwise opening in "each of said plastic insertsbeing adapted to receive a conductive terminal lead in guided relationtherethrough into impaled relatio-n with the inner end thereof and saidlaminated metal disc therebetween whereby said terminal leads areconnected indirectly through said laminated metal disc in spaced,offset, end to end relation.

i `16.An ,electrical connection comprising a terminal member ofconductive metal, and a laminate comprising a plurality of relativelythick, yieldable members with .substantially uninterrupted surfacesenclosing the outer oppositely disposed surfaces of a folded portion ofa thin vflat conductor cable in xed abutting relation and an additionalrelatively thick yieldable member with substantially uninterruptedsurfaces disposed between the inner facing surfaces of the foldedportion of their hat conductor cable in abutting relation therewith,said laminate and the cable -being impaled on said terminal member inimbedded, frictionally held relation therewith.

17. An electrical connection comprising a pin-like terminal member ofconductive metal, and a laminate comprising a plurality of relativelythick, yieldable members with substantially uninterrupted surfacesenclosing the outer oppositely disposed surfaces of an intermediateportion of a thin fiat conductor cable folded upon itself in xedabutting relation with said yieldable members and an additionalrelatively thick yieldable member with substantially uninterruptedsurfaces disposed between the inner facing surfaces of the foldedportion of their flat conductor cable in fixed abutting relationtherewith, said laminate being impaled on said terminal members inimbedded, frictionally held relation therewith.

18. An electrical terminal connector adapted to be impaled on aconductive member in imbedded, frictionally held relation therewithcomprising a thin dat conductor cable having a portion thereof reverselyfolded upon itself in spaced parallel relation, a plurality ofrelatively thick, yieldable members with substantially uninterruptedsurfaces disposed in xed abutting relation with the outer oppositelydisposed surfaces of said folded portion, and an additional relativelythick yieldable member with substantially uninterrupted surfaces, theinner facing surfaces of said folded portion in fixed abutting relationtherewith.

19. An electrical connection comprising a pointed terminal member ofconductive metal, a pair of relatively thick yieldable members disposedin a nested relation, and a thin sleeve of conductive'metal disposedbetween, said yieldable means being substantially contiguous with adifferent one of the inner and outer surfaces of said sleeve, at leastone of said yieldable members having an end portion disposed beyond theend adjacent thereto of said sleeve, said end portion providing amounting for said electrical connection, said terminal member beingforced into said yieldable members and through sai-d sleeve ofconductive metal in imbedded, frictionally held relation therewith.

20. An electrical terminal connector adapted to be impaled on aconductive terminal lead in imbedded, frictionally held relationtherewith comprising an insulated thin flat conductor cable having aportion thereof folded upon itself in spaced parallel relation and aplurality of relatively thick, yieldable members with substantiallyuninterrupted surfaces, said portion folded upon itself being disposedbetween said plastic members and in fixed abuttingrelationshiptherewith, an additional relatively thick yieldable memberdisposed between the inner facing surfaces of said folded portion infixed abutting relation therewith, said additional yieldable memberhaving substantially uninterrupted surfaces, and means integral withsaid plastic members for securing the same together in lsuperposedrelation on the respective opposite faces of said folded cable portion.

21. An electrical connection comprising a terminal pin of conductivemetal, and a pair of relatively thick yieldable members includingintegral coactable means for locking said yieldable members together,said yieldable members enclosing a folded end portion of a conductorcable wherein said yieldable members are impaled on said terminal pin asa unit in imbedded, frictionally held relation with the conductiveelements within said cable and said yieldable members.

22. An electrical connection comprising a pair of relatively thick,flat, yieldable members including coactable means integral therewith forlocking said yieldable members together in superposed relation, aterminal pin of conductive metal integral with one of said yieldablemembers and projecting inwardly thereof normal thereto in spacedrelation, the other of said yieldable members comprising a pair ofspaced, parallel sections having a central partition therebetween inspaced parallel relation, and a folded portion of a conductor cablesandwiched between said pair of sections and said central partition inopposed facing relation, whereby in locking said yieldable memberstogether said folded cable portion is impaled on said terminal pin inimbedded, frictionally held, laminated relation therewith.

23. An electrical connection comprising a pointed terminal member ofconductive metal, a pair of relatively thick yieldable members disposedin telescopic relation, and a thin sleeve of conductive metal disposedtherebetween Wherein said terminal member is forced into said yieldablemembers and through said sleeve of conductive metal in imbedded,frictionally held relation therewith, one of said yieldable membershaving a reduced end portion with one end of said conductive metalsleeve depending therefrom, whereby said yieldable members are adaptedto be secured on a printed circuit board with the depending portion ofsaid metal sleeve in electrical ll contact with the conductive elementetched on the circuit board.

24, The combination with an insulated conductor cable having a thin,ribbon-like ductile conductor element imbedded therein, a plurality ofrelatively thick, flat plastic members superposed on and between afolded portion of said cable in bonded, laminated relation therewith,and a pin-like conductive terminal member impaled in said plasticmembers in frictionally held relation therewith extending through saidribbon-like conductor elements in low-resistance electrical contacttherewith.

25. An electrical connector comprising an end portion of an insulatedflat conductor cable having at least one thin, ribbon-like conductorelement imbedded therein, a relatively thick plastic member withsubstantially continuous surfaces and having an opening for receiving anend portion of said cable in abutting laminated relation therewith, andmeans securing said plastic member on said cable end portion With theouter surface of said plastic sheet being exposed, whereby said cableend portion is adapted to be impaled on at least one pin-like conductiveterminal member as a unit in frictionally held relation therewith toestablish a low-resistance connection With the conductor elementsimbedded in said cable.

26. The combination with an insulated conductor cable having a pluralityof conductor elements imbedded therein in spaced parallel relation, of aplurality of relatively thick, flat platsic members superposed on andbetween a reversely folded portion of said cable in bonded laminatedrelation therewith, and a plurality of pin-like conductive terminalmembers impaled in said plastic members in frictionally held relationtherewith extending through said conductor elements in low-resistanceelectrical contact therewith.

27. A terminal post connector adapted to be secured on a printed circuitboard in electrical contact with a conductive element etched thereoncomprising a pair of thick, yieldable members telescoped one within theother with a sleeve of thin, conductive metal therebetween, the inneryieldable member being longer than the outer yieldable member whereby toextend through an opening in said circuit board with one end portion ofsaid thin metal sleeve exposed for contact with the conductive elementon said circuit board, and means formed on the depending free end ofsaid inner yieldable member for securing said terminal post againstrelative endwise movement on said circuit board, said terminal postbeing adapted to have a terminal conductor lead impaled therein infrictionally held relation thenewith to provide an indirect connectionwith the conductive element on said circuit board through the conductivemetal within 'said terminal post.

28. A terminal post adapted to be secured on a printed circuit board inelectrical contact with the conductive circuit trace etched thereonwhereby to establish a connection therewith, comprising a pair of thick,yieldable members telescoped one within the other with a thin `sleeve ofconductive metal therebetween intermediate the ends of said yieldablemembers, the inner yieldable member being longer than the outeryieldable member whereby to extend through an opening in said circuitboard with one end of said thin metal sleeve exposed and l2 turnednormal thereto for contact with the conductive trace on said circuitboard, adjustable means carried by the depending end of said inneryieldable member securing said terminal post against relative endwisemovement on said board, and a conductor terminal lead impaled radiallyof said yieldable members in imbedded frictionally held contact withsaid yieldable membersgand said sheet of conductive metal forming a lowresistance current path to the circuit printed on said board.

29. A terminal post conector adapted to be secured on an apertured panelsupport comprising a cylindrical core of yieldable material and ayieldable sleeve secured in telescopic relation on said core with asleeve of thin conductive metal therebetween substantially throughoutthe length of said core, one end of said sleeve having an outer diametersmaller than the outer diameter of the other end of said sleeve wherebyto extend through an opening in said panel support, and adjustable meanscarried by the depending smaller diameter of said sleeve for securingsaid terminal post against relative endwise movement on said panelsupport, said terminal post being adapted to have a terminal conductorlead impaled radially of the terminal post portion above said panelsupport and radially of the depending portion below `said panel support,whereby said impaled conductor leads are connected indirectly throughthe conductive sleeve within said telescoped members.

3d. A terminal connector comprising a sleeve of thick yieldable materialand a pair of inserts of yieldable material each having an openingformed endwise thereof and to one side of its axial center extendingtoward the opposite end thereof, each of said plastic inserts beingsecured in one end of said yieldable sleeve with a thin disc ofconductive metal folded upon a relatively thick disc of yieldablematerial disposed between the inner ends of said yieldable inserts inabutting relation therewith, the outer ends of said yieldable insertsbeing disposed within the open ends of said yiel-dable sleeve and saidopen ends sealed to retain said yieldable inserts against relativemovement, the endwise opening in each of said yieldable inserts beingadapted to receive a conductive terminal lead in guided relationtherethrough into impaled relation with the inner end thereof and saidlaminated metal disc therebetween whereby said terminal leads areconnected indirectly through said laminated metal disc in spaced,offset, end to end relation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,694,183 11/1954Edlen et al. 339-97 X 2,880,259 3/1959 Nowotny 339-96 X 3,064,2291l/1962 Dee et al. 339-06 X 3,189,863 6/1965 Leach 339-'99 3,202,9578/1965 Leach 339-98 3,213,404 10/1965 Hedstrom 339-97 FOREIGN PATENTS585,180 1/1934 Germany.

EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner. W. DONALD MLLER, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONNECTION COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF TERMINAL MEMBERSOF CONDUCTIV EMETAL, AND A PLASTIC LAMINATE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OFRELATIVELY THICK, YIELDABLE PLASTIC MEMBERS ENCLOSING A FOLDED ENDPORTION OF AN INSULATED FLAT CONDUCTOR CABLE IN FIXED ABUTTING RELATIONWHEREIN SAID PLASTIC LAMINATE IS IMPALED ON SAID TERMINAL MEMBERS INIMBEDDED, FRICTIONALLY HELD RELATION THERWITH.